The Real Reason Women Don't Leave Abusive Relationships

Ever wonder why women who have been abused by their man stay in the relationship? Researchers think they've figured out why.

According to a Purdue University study, girls who date an abusive guy are happier than they expected when the relationship ends. This is an obvious duh, but the study noticed that the women in the study projected their happiness to be low if the relationship ended, suggesting that this is why (aside from the mental abuse) many women stay in abusive relationships.

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So if you're dating someone that has either shoved, controlled, sworn at, or humiliated you, you need to end your relationship. There's no doubt breakups suck. It'll be sad and hard to emotionally detach from someone who has pretty much brainwashed you, but staying in an unhealthy relationship will cause you more long-term problems. And maybe this study is a sign: You'll be happier than you think to put him behind you.

You need to remember that it's important to respect yourself enough to walk away from something that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. That applies to everything in life, especially relationships.

Think you or a friend might be in an unhealthy relationship? Check this to see if you've got the signs of an abusive relationship.